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Dawson Willcock's family raised more than £350,000 through their A Dollar for Dawson campaign after he was diagnosed with liver cancer heptoblastoma - a condition so rare it only affects one in a million children.

The family had hoped to send him to America for specialist treatment but he died in November aged two.

Dawson's mum, Wendy, 42, of Sutton-in-Ashfield, told the Post some of the money raised through the campaign will be used to pay for hotels for families while Billy's House is refurbished - and appealed for anyone with contacts for hotel discounts to get in touch.

Dawson pictured with his parents David and Wendy Willcock at the Queen's Medical Centre.

She said: "Cancer rips families apart. We were classed as fortunate as we lived so close to the QMC, but some families are coming from Northampton or Lincolnshire who can't keep coming backwards and forwards.

"At times like this you need your family and your child needs both parents. You need you partner and that comfort.

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"I spent months on that ward. It broke my heart not being with my two other children [Will Tadman, 14, and Abbie Tadman, 12]. I could not imagine being on the ward for months on end and not seeing my other children.

"Emotionally you are ripped between the cancer child and the other children. As a mum and dad you are pulled in so many different directions. It adds to the heartbreak."

Billy's House in Derby Road. (Image: MARK FEAR)

Mrs Willcock occasionally stayed at Billy's House as she struggled with rheumatoid arthritis and was allowed to relocate there from the hospital.

She said: "It allows siblings to stay. It's a beautiful house and a wonderful thing. With it being closed it's awful not being with your family.

"There's a play room and a back garden. It's lovely. It really does cater for siblings because they go through the cancer process, too. It's not just the diagnosed, it does rip the family apart.

"It's really, really important. It's not just children being in hospital with tonsillitis or appendicitis. This is for children with cancer fighting for their lives."

Cecilia Milburn, UK home from home manager at CLIC Sargent, said: “Billy’s House, which has been open since 2009, is currently providing a reduced service as we undertake vital maintenance and some refurbishment including redecoration of two living rooms.

Billy's House in Derby Road. (Image: MARK FEAR)

“We estimate some rooms will be unavailable for four to six weeks and for the final week the whole house will be closed to complete the work and to ensure the house is cleaned to our exceptionally high standard, reducing risk of infection for the families we support.

“We do offer financial aid and refer families to other support available but if any families are concerned we advise for them to contact their CLIC Sargent social worker who will discuss available options with them.

“It is a very generous offer from Dawson’s family and we will explore working with them to help any affected families.”